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Basalt Pillars and Green Belts Creating Community Connections in Icelandic Geology Museum

Authors:
Limin Pan, Jiawei Wu, Yusi Huang
Basalt Pillars and Green Belts Creating Community Connections in Icelandic Geology Museum
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Incorporating basalt pillars and surrounding green belts, the design serves as a community connector while highlighting Iceland's volcanic heritage through its educational exhibition functions.
5 key facts about this project
01
The museum integrates basalt pillars as a key architectural feature.
02
Surrounding green belts enhance biodiversity and community interaction.
03
Exhibition spaces are designed to showcase the region's volcanic history.
04
The master plan includes multiple levels to accommodate various functions.
05
The layout promotes accessibility between the museum and nearby scenic spots.

The Iceland Volcano Museum is located in the Myvatn area and focuses on the region's unique geological features. Its design draws inspiration from local elements such as Myvatn, Basalt Pillars, Volcanoes, and Lava. These aspects reflect the natural landscape and the rich geological history of Iceland. The museum aims to be more than just an educational space; it serves as a community hub that encourages interaction among locals and visitors.

Site Plan
The site plan has been thoughtfully designed to create a relationship between the building and the surrounding environment. It considers the existing landscape and integrates public spaces, commercial areas, and green zones. This careful arrangement makes it easy for people to access the museum and engage with the community. The vibrant blend of spaces enhances local life and promotes connection.



Master Plan
The master plan consists of multiple levels featuring essential spaces like a library, meeting rooms, and an information center. These areas support educational purposes and serve visitors effectively. An exhibition hall is a key part of the design, showcasing artifacts and information that highlight the volcanic landscape. This arrangement allows smooth movement throughout the museum while keeping the design cohesive.



Environmental Integration
A significant focus of the museum is its commitment to sustainability. Green belts are integrated into the design to encourage biodiversity and reduce the impact on the natural landscape. By maintaining connections with grassy areas and water features, the building complements its surroundings. This thoughtful approach enhances the visitor experience while nurturing the local environment.



With its varied functional spaces and emphasis on community engagement, the museum invites exploration of Iceland's volcanic heritage. The design integrates building and landscape, creating areas that encourage appreciation of the region’s geological wonders.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

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